This gene belongs to the TBR1 (T-box brain protein 1) sub-family of T-box genes that share the common DNA-binding T-box domain. The encoded protein is a transcription factor which is crucial for embryonic development of mesoderm and the central nervous system in vertebrates. The protein may also be necessary for the differentiation of effector CD8+ T cells which are involved in defense against viral infections. A similar gene disrupted in mice is shown to be essential during trophoblast development and gastrulation. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, May 2013]